Among the most popular fall hikes in the Cascades are those with abundant larch trees. The Maple Pass Loop near Rainy Pass on Highway 20 (aka “The North Cascades Highway”) offers a great mix of larches, views, meadows, and lakes. Larches are an unusual “deciduous conifer” whose needles change a …

This is the second of a three-part series about doing a 3-day trail run/hike on the Wonderland Trail. It’s typically done as a week-long backpacking trip, or at the fast end of the spectrum, as a fast ultra run in under 1.5 days. To understand what is involved in a …

Mt. Rainer is visible from the Idaho border and from space. It’s an icon of the Pacific Northwest: 14,410’ of rock and ice rising up from the sea in an immense display of majestic beauty. Less obvious is the thin ribbon of trail circling the mountain, the Wonderland. The trail …

I’m a big advocate of cultivating a robust (live) social network of fitness buddies. We tend to become like the other members of our social networks, fitness or not. Therefore: run, ride, hike, and ski with people who are fitter, faster, and younger. Although it’s best practice to have a …

In the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree category: Caden Ragsdale, son of ultra runner (and former ultra cyclist) Chris, is an eleven year old headed for the 6th grade. In April, Caden ran the Deception Pass Marathon (5:41:21), and was following a training plan to get ready for …

The women athletes profiled on Northwest in Motion tend to have one thing in common: They typically enter their respective sports not as kids or teens, but in their mid to late-20s, often as the result of serendipity. Their first forays into athletic competition are usually the result of joining …

Highway 542, the Mt Baker Scenic Byway, runs east-west from Bellingham to Artist Point. It is the access point to some of the Northwest’s best mountain terrain: fantastic trails, North Cascades National Park, mountaineering, skiing at Mt. Baker Ski Area, and some of the best backcountry skiing in North America …

Sad to say, as far as area hikes go, I tend to replay my “greatest hits” list over and over. I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1994 and only just got around to the Annette Lake Trail last weekend. Last Saturday I volunteered to help at the mile 10.4 …

For most of us, the best way to achieve our health and fitness goals is to join a group, club, or team. It is hugely beneficial to connect with others who are on the same path. It doesn’t matter whether you are doing a contemplative activity like yoga or meditation, …